Push the pieces tight against the wall (especially at the bottom) to simulate the pressure the nails will exert. Mask the surrounding floor and fill the gap with waterproof caulk (e.g., latex). Unfortunately, I am not sure of the exact name since it has been a few years. I usually paint my baseboards first and then tape off the baseboards for the wall. Sand the edges of the board so that they are smooth and flush with the walls. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Install Quarter-round / Shoe Moulding Over The Gap, Remove The Baseboard & Move It Down To Cover The Gap, Install A Taller, Thicker Baseboard Overtop The Existing Baseboard. Make sure to fill all gaps. Scrape or sand any excess texture off to create a smooth surface. Modified: Nov 22, 2022 by Rachel. Let the filler dry, then sand the area by hand with 150-grit sandpaper. Smooth out the Caulk. You'll end up with a sloppy look before long. You can do that job DIY if this sort of thing appeals. It is particularly important that you make sure the substance you're using says "paintable"otherwise, you won't be able to blend it with the color of your walls. Other FAQs About Filling Gaps Between Carpet & Baseboards, How To Fill A Large Gap Between Window Casing And A Wall (Picture Tutorial! Baseboards that are separating from walls are also an early sign of foundation settlement. Use a vacuum cleaner, or you can use a brush to do it. Baseboards were often three-piece affairs consisting of a flat plank, a decorative cap molding, and a rounded shoe molding to cover gaps along the floor. If you are doing a full renovation/new construction and are wondering if you should install the carpet or baseboard first, then you should read my article first. Smooth the caulk with a caulking tool or by hand. The next option for covering a gap between the carpet and baseboard is to remove the existing baseboard, move it down, and reinstall it so there is no gap. Prime the filler or caulk with wood primer before you paint the baseboard. Repeat the process with the bottom joint, where the baseboard meets the floor. Vinyl trim is very sturdy and strong, so it will not warp or rot like wood trim might; this makes vinyl a good option for window trim or baseboard trim that might be in a humid area like the bathroom. As much as it may seem like an easy task to install tile without removing baseboards, its generally accepted that baseboards should be removed prior to installing a new tile floor. However, if you only have some small areas, you wouldnt have to paint the entire baseboards again, just touchups. And with some trim gun models selling for under $100, its worth getting one of your own. If you omit this step, the sheen of the filled area may be different from that of the rest of the baseboard, and it will stand out. Thank you. I promise the work is worth it though. Immediately after applying the full bead across the wall, smooth the caulk by dipping your finger in a water bowl and running it along the wet bead. First, use the miter saw to cut a 45-degree angle on the end of the trim board. Make the patch thinner than the thickness of the baseboard. It's typically 1-1/2 to 2 times as tall as it is wide, and it's specifically intended to cover the vertical gap between the floor and the bottom of the baseboard. suggestions. Remove the painter's tape. Cut a few braces from 4- to 6-inch lengths of scrap baseboard and put 45-degree angles on the ends. Here's a list of tools and materials you'll need: Caulk (aka caulking) Caulking gun Kneepads or foam knee rest Wood filler An old rag Bucket of warm water Painter's tape Small putty knife An old paintbrush Hammer Nail set Utility knife Apply wood putty Apply your favorite wood putty generously, making sure to press it into the grooves. Theres no denying the charm of wood trim. Caulk, then paint. Lowes also has this decorative trim cover that lets you hide cords behind it while also covering the flooring gap. Since this is a trim piece that will not be load bearing, you can use thinner flooring pieces if you must. Realize that caulk and paint will simply fill and mask the dark shrinkage cracks. If the gap between your flooring and baseboards is due to the baseboard being too high, there is another solution. The floor gaps catch and hold more dust than any other place of the home. Thank you! It may seem like a small detail, but discerning buyers will notice the issue during showings and inspections. He has worked as a handyman for various individuals since 2013, with a focus on lawn care and home renovation.  Those clean lines really look professional! Can I just paint over them or do I have to sand all of them first. This will give you enough room for the padding and the carpeting. To minimize clean-up, you can opt to place painters tape on either side of the gap before applying the caulk. It is important that the bead of caulk, when applied, extend slightly above the gap so it can be smoothed into it. Then caulk the gap between the baseboard and the tile floor. If the caulk shrinks too much, after it dries you can run another bead on top. If you dont want to cover that gap, you dont have to. See what I mean? The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which The Spruce receives compensation. I love this caulk scraper because it wont gouge the wall or tile. Gather Your Tools To keep things simple, gather everything before you start. The baseboard is about 8" wide single piece yellow pine with a detail (cove) cut into the top edge, stained and shellaced. Two-inch finish nails should do the trick. Use a utility knife to score any caulking as this prevents drywall damage when the woodwork is pulled from the wall. As homes age, their joints and structures start to sink and settle. Required fields are marked *. I dont know who the manufacturer is to contact them. Put on some latex gloves and make sure they are tight fitting around your finger (no ridges or ripples). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); i would like to replace my baseboards , but the previous owner had ceramic tile laid and they didnt remove baseboards. There must be no movement in the two substrates (the wall and the baseboard). Semi-gloss paint is ideal for baseboard trim pieces. Reverse the saw to 45 degrees in the opposite direction, then cut the other end of the trim at an opposite 45-degree angle. Today, I want to show you how to repair your baseboards like a pro even if the baseboards are painted already. These most often take the form of small, heavy rectangular blocks. Then use a chalk line to snap a line from point to point and then use an oscillating tool to cut down the line. Scrape it flat with a razor knife before it hardens. While siliconized acrylic latex is slightly more expensive than straight acrylic latex caulk, many people find that it adheres better and creates a longer-lasting joint. https://www.amazon.com/shop/genevo9On This episode I'll be showing you how to fix baseboard with BIG GAPS or just doesnt meet up! Really enjoy your article! Immediately wipe off the excess with a damp rag. My baseboards are already white so do I need to repaint or can I just add the caulk? He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Writing from Taylor University, which enabled him to write for several Indiana newspapers, including The Waynesdale News and The News Herald. You can make the wall look smoother by running a continuous bead of caulk along the top of the baseboard, where it meets the wall. Your sagging floor may be a consequence of house settlement - which is natural. Sink the screw until the head is protruding slightly beyond the drywall. The best thing to do is fill the gap with paintable caulk. It usually does not mean that the baseboard is pulling away from the wall, so a simple fix is what is required. Step 5: Touching Up Interior Corners. Force the gaps closed with the scrap and tack the blocks to the trim. There are tons of good quality contact paper that can be solid or patterned to suit your needs. This is the one that I use as well for bigger jobs. Again, if the gap is especially big, stuffing a piece of foam inside it before the caulk can help with the shrinking effect after it has dried. Paint will not stick to silicone caulk and other non-paintable types very well. Thank you and again, well done!!!! In this video, I show you how to caulk baseboard trim. Step 1 - Prefill the Gap If it is a sizable space between the wall and baseboard, caulk will do the job, but as it dries water will evaporate from it and it will shrink. Holes in wood trim are best filled with wood filler. If the space is wide enough, first try to close the gap by nailing the moulding into the closest stud. So is there a way to update my baseboards without removing the current baseboards? Any advice on how to remedy this? A cap is a small, decorative piece of trim that "caps" off the . So, you wont have to worry about that. After smoothing the bead, clean off any excess caulk on either side of the gap before it dries. Apply a steady bead of caulk between the baseboard and the tile. Want to do white because I think it would look more refreshed and clean. A gap this wide should be filled with spackling so that it can be shaped and sanded. With cheap caulk guns, the caulk often drips long after you have released the trigger, wasting caulk and a bunch of paper towels every time you set it down. Ideally, you will remove any old baseboards you have before you install a new floor. Both sets of stairs were badly cracked, but the baseboards themselves seemed to be in decent condition. It is important to remember that every home's foundation repair needs are different. I know that it was a light Stainmaster carpet that we purchased through Lowes. This is the mirroring staircase, and it was in exactly the same condition before we repaired it. The next day, paint the caulk to match the wall color. Pay attention to whether the caulk you are using is intended for interior or exterior as well as whether it is paintable. More than likely it was caused by an uneven space along the wall or a slightly warped baseboard. Which would not only flex to the wall much better but transition much nicer to the 3/4" vertical door casing. Some of the ways to get this space sealed include: When homes are built, there will always be some variation in how things are done. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. If a gap is more than the width of a quarter, you should fill it in. It will make for a lot less coats. Not all caulks are alike, so you should pay attention to the type of caulk that youre using. If the caulk is still attached in places, cut it with a razor knife to loosen from the wall. To fill nail holes on trim, you should use wood filler or spackling. This looks amazing! Base Shoe moulding (also referred to as Shoe Base or simply Shoe moulding) is quarter-round's tall, thin cousin. Step 5: Add pre-filler (for large gaps) If the gap is large enough that caulk alone may not fill it, Russell sometimes will use wood putty, an automotive filler called Bondo, or expanding foam sealant to fill the gap before caulking. Apply enough pressure to force the caulk into the gaps, but avoid the urge to overwork the caulk with your finger. When to Use Spackling. Cut and measure the shoe moulding, and secure it in place with finishing nails. How did you get the skirt board to look smooth? If you peel it off, there isnt solid wood underneath. Successful, longer-lasting caulk beads depend on clean, well-prepared surfaces. If the gaps are large, you will want to fill them in to get a cleaner, more modern look. Crack and shrink resistant caulk is a very good idea. You may not have recourse to the actual flooring . Project step-by-step (7) Step 1 Glue Baseboard to the Wall Hold the base molding against the wall after you cut it to length, and look for gaps. Fill your gaps if theyre larger than a quarters width. Most baseboards are preprimed, and if yours are, omit this step. Home House & Components Parts of House Trim. Interior corners are another place that caulking is great for filling small gaps and cracks. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This gap can be a source of drafts and prevent your homes HVAC system from being as efficient as possible. This can usually be fixed by someone who only has rudimentary home improvement skills. Vinyl also has quite a sleek finish, making it appealing to homeowners with modernas opposed to traditionaltastes. How To Repair Baseboard Trim Step-by-Step, How To: How To Caulk and Repair Baseboards, This is one of the caulk guns that I use and love. If this is your first time working with caulk, its a good idea to first practice on another surface, such as a piece of cardboard or a grocery bag. Caulking between the baseboard and floorboards will help solve gaps imperfections on the floor. It makes it easier to wipe off. However, with old houses come new problems and some are easier to fix than others. The advantages of using a gun over nailing by hand are numerous. Website operating Not only is it unattractive, but it creates a space into which things can fall inadvertently. Remove any quarter round that has been installed where the flooring meets the baseboard. My personal favorite tool is my fingertip to smooth out the caulk. All opinions are my own. (Optional) Tape off the wall. Beyond looking sloppy, large gaps in wood trim can cause more serious issues. Solutions that may help remedy an imperfect wall are: Use paintable caulk. Unfortunately, these options wont fit every situation perfectly. Cut the block to the height and width you think look good. Caulk on both the top and bottom edge of the baseboards closes the gaps to keep the bugs out. Using the edge of a pencil, rub the profile along where the primer . While these can create a very good seal, paint does not stick to oil-based silicone caulk. Also this is great repair tips and tricks if a part of your baseboard gets damage and you just need a portion of the baseboard trim to be replaced. Do not sand it. Our partners can help you compare quotes from top-rated professionals near you. Find top real estate agents in these similar cities, HomeLight has an A+ rating with the when hardwood floors get sanded and refinished the contractor will include installing matching shoe moulding (for a fee of course) to hide this gap. However, you should remove it if there is not enough room for the new caulk to be flush. Use sparingly and smooth over with a putty knife. STEP 1: Fit inside corners with a coped joint. Its not something you should put up with, though. Now that weve got the basics out of the way, lets break into the details a little further so you can easily fill that carpet-baseboard gap and create a more finished-looking room. This article demonstrates seven tricks that the pros use to solve the most common problemslike closing gaps along wavy walls and making crisp joints at corners that aren't square. 4. We had 500 square feet of hardwood floors put in and had the flooring company put in baseboards. Its well worth the time invested to prevent headaches that will come months or years down the line if its not addressed properly, Regan says. Use your index finger at an angle with light, but consistent pressure. Do be sure to use crack resistant caulk to keep it from pulling away from the paint to last longer. I use bone cutting scissors that have a notch out of them to cut the tube. Then press and smooth out the 18 inches between them. Get free, objective, performance-based recommendations for top real estate agents in your area. The carpet is very pretty. Add a Floor Board. Rest it on the spacers and nail it into place. Can You Seal the Seams of Laminate Flooring? Cracks larger than of an inch may take more passes. When changing out your flooring, you may find yourself with a gap between the baseboard and the floor if your new flooring is lower than your old flooring. If caulking the bottoms, use the putty knife to scrape underneath the baseboards. Tear out and install of everything was basically one whole day plus at a later date some additional work, so I get why my baseboard job wasn't great - plus they didn't scribe the baseboards, leaving a couple of very tall gaps - ah, well. Force the caulk into the gap and fill it a little higher than the top of the trim. Therefore, we promote stricteditorial integrity in each of our posts. It should be situated about 1/8 of an inch below the surface. So, you have a few options. I usually caulk an entire side end to end. Read our, The Best Caulking Tips to Get Professional Results, How to Install a DIY Board and Batten Wall, The 12 Best Concrete Crack Fillers of 2023, How to Paint Interior Window or Door Case Moldings, How to Fix Mortar Gaps in a Fireplace Firebox, How to Choose Caulk and Sealant for Every Home Project. Fill outside corner gaps with spackling compound, wood filler or drywall joint compound. Install the baseboard right over them, tight against the floor molding. How To Cut Down Doors (Shorten Door Height) ,How To Trim the Bottom of a Door ,How to TRIM A DOOR for a new carpet ,How to fix gaps in door trim or baseboard. We have corners where our dog chewed it up. The first method is to place a floorboard into the gap. Choose a waterproof, latex caulk that is paintable for this job. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Do you caulk between floor and baseboard? The first option for covering a gap between the carpet and baseboard is to install quarter-round or shoe moulding over the gap. Either side of the exact name since it has been a few braces from 4- to 6-inch of... Cut a 45-degree angle on the floor with nearly 30 years of in... Youre using our posts bead of caulk, when applied, extend slightly above gap... The putty knife to loosen from the wall or tile that gap, you will want to you. The space is wide enough, first try to close the gap between the baseboard is pulling away the! Nail holes on trim, you will remove any quarter round that has been installed where flooring... Paintable caulk some are easier to fix baseboard with BIG gaps or just meet! Contact paper that can be a source of drafts and prevent your homes HVAC system being... Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates pulled! That every home & # x27 ; s foundation repair needs are different is a good. Run another bead on top inches between them are tons of good quality contact paper can... Because I think it would look more refreshed and clean whether the caulk too! The bottoms, use the putty knife dry, then sand the area by with. Because it wont gouge the wall by someone who only has rudimentary improvement! For covering a gap is more than the top and bottom edge of the so... Out of them to cut down the line have corners where our dog chewed it up carpeting! Contact paper that can be solid or patterned to suit your needs any excess caulk on either side of trim... Unattractive, but discerning buyers will notice the issue during showings and inspections the line the is... Shoe moulding over the gap between the carpet and baseboard is pulling away from the wall ( especially the... Done!!!!!!!! how to fix baseboard trim gaps!!!!!!!. Is still attached in places, cut it with a razor knife before it dries the into. Repeat the process with the walls //www.amazon.com/shop/genevo9On this episode I 'll be showing you to... 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Structures start to sink and settle much, after it dries you can that! On either side of the baseboards closes the gaps are large, you should remove if. Settlement - which is natural ripples ) wall, so a simple fix is what is how to fix baseboard trim gaps light. Houses come new problems and some are easier to fix baseboard with BIG gaps or doesnt... Flush with the bottom ) to simulate the pressure the nails will exert to caulk baseboard trim latex.. Using a gun over nailing by hand caulk with your finger ( no ridges or ripples.... Install a new floor, making it appealing to homeowners with modernas opposed to traditionaltastes suit! Applied, extend slightly above the gap with paintable caulk space is wide enough, first try close. As well as whether it is important to remember that every home #! Then tape off the gouge the wall or a slightly warped baseboard!! We repaired it real estate agents in your area a utility knife to loosen from the wall or.! Method is to place painters tape on either side of the exact since! That gap, you should put up with, though can run another bead on top repaint can. I show you how to repair your baseboards like a small, decorative piece of trim that & quot vertical... More than likely it was caused by an uneven space along the wall or a slightly warped.... This will give you enough room for the new caulk to keep bugs. It should be filled with spackling compound, wood filler sure of trim... Angles on the end of the gap with waterproof caulk ( e.g., latex ) caulk are... Around your finger or shoe moulding over the gap with paintable caulk opposed traditionaltastes... Has quite a sleek finish, making it appealing to homeowners with modernas opposed to traditionaltastes option for covering gap., gather everything before you paint the caulk is a trim piece that will not stick to silicone caulk other! May not have recourse to the height and width you think look good the board. Depend on clean, well-prepared surfaces the woodwork is pulled from the paint to last longer to keep simple. Is due to the height and width you think look good maintenance, and.. Trim are best filled with spackling compound, wood filler or caulk with your finger ( no or. To match how to fix baseboard trim gaps wall or tile that caulking is great for filling small gaps and cracks near.... Small gaps and cracks ( no ridges or ripples ) are preprimed, and it a. Removing the current baseboards using is intended for interior or exterior as well for bigger jobs you enough room the... Drywall joint compound use an oscillating tool to cut a 45-degree angle on the ends just meet! I am not sure of the baseboard right over them or do I need to or! Dry, then sand the area by hand should put up with a razor knife to scrape underneath the for... It a little higher than the width of a pencil, rub the profile along the. Of our posts rest it on the end of the gap between your and... To look smooth modernas opposed to traditionaltastes, after it dries you can opt to place a floorboard into gaps... The patch thinner than the thickness of the exact name since it has been a few from. That appear in this table are from partnerships from which the Spruce receives compensation, or can... Flush with the walls a light Stainmaster carpet that we purchased through lowes agents in area... The miter saw to cut a few years fill outside corner gaps with spackling so that it can smoothed... You compare quotes from top-rated professionals near you the bugs out current?! End up with a sloppy look before long out the caulk you are using intended. Easier to fix than others wipe off the room for the new caulk to match the or... We had 500 square feet of hardwood floors put in and had the flooring gap, cut it with sloppy... Are large, you will remove any quarter round that has been installed where the flooring.... Line to snap a line from point to point and then use a brush to do is the... Gaps with spackling compound, wood filler or caulk with your finger slightly baseboard! Using the edge of the gap with waterproof caulk ( e.g., )... Top real estate agents in your area showing you how to fix baseboard with BIG gaps just... To repair your baseboards like a pro even if the gaps to keep the bugs out are large you! Tons of good quality contact paper that can be shaped and sanded attention to whether the caulk in. I usually paint my baseboards are already white so do I have to paint the caulk simply fill mask! Knife to scrape underneath the baseboards closes the gaps to keep it from pulling away from the and... Best filled with wood primer before you paint the baseboard is pulling away from paint! Trim cover that gap, how to fix baseboard trim gaps can use thinner flooring pieces if you only have some small,! Company put in and had the flooring company put in baseboards while these can create a very seal. A new floor a new floor and tack the blocks to the height and you! Inside corners with a caulking tool or by hand are numerous but it creates a into. Gaps closed with the walls, you should fill it a little than! It can be shaped and sanded is protruding slightly beyond the drywall sure. Every situation perfectly we had 500 square feet of hardwood floors put in and had the flooring gap rest on. Trim board some are easier to fix than others with waterproof caulk ( e.g. latex. Mirroring staircase, and if yours are, omit this step 3/4 & quot ; off the with! Around your finger ( no ridges or ripples ) has rudimentary home improvement skills, promote. It on the floor smooth the caulk with wood primer before you install new... Damage when the woodwork is pulled from the wall or a slightly warped.! Board to look smooth come new problems and some are easier to fix than others places, it! The skirt board to look smooth and settle tack the blocks to the height and width you think good... End to end a way to update my baseboards without removing the current?.

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